30.5 INCH

118.0 INCH

6.87 SEC

4.18 SEC

11.51 SEC

Overview

Poyer signed on to play baseball and football at Oregon State after a distinguished high school career in both sports (he was Oregon?s state player of the year in baseball, as well as on offense and defense in football, as a senior). The then-Florida Marlins drafted him in the 42nd round as an outfielder that June. But after early success on the gridiron and playing sparingly for a local Corvallis team for college-eligible players and the Beavers? ball club, he set his focus squarely on his football career.

He played in all 13 games on special teams in his freshman year, making 11 tackles, 10 on special teams. Poyer again participated in every contest in 2010, making more of an impact on defense after changing from safety to cornerback (34 tackles, two interceptions-one for a 65-yard score in the 36-7 home win over USC) and averaging 27.8 yards per kick return. He finally got a chance to start in 2011 and intercepted four passes and broke up 12 others, earning second-team All-Pac 12 honors. He also returned kicks and punts for the second straight year, bringing back a punt for an 85-yard touchdown against UCLA. Poyer was arrested in May 2012 for trying to get into a Corvallis nightclub from which he had been previously banned for trying to enter before he became of legal drinking age. In his senior seson, Poyer intercepted seven passes (taking on back for a touchdown), and broke up another seven passes. Poyer earned numerous post season honors including AP All-American first-team.

Analysis

Strengths

Smooth athlete with solid overall size. Has fluid hips to turn and run with receivers and quick feet to undercut an out route. Intelligent corner, who transitions smoothly out of his back pedal. Solid hands for the interception, extends to grab passes in front of receivers. Fights for 50/50 balls, competes even when he doesn?t have great position against a larger receiver. Aggressive, will attack in the run game. Brings some pop into tackles when able to line up his target. Experience as both a man and zone corner. Willing to take the ball straight upfield as a returner and has enough speed to break it with good blocking.

Weaknesses

Average size and strength for an outside corner. Plays well off the line of scrimmage, but doesn't display the skills to press. Doesn?t disengage from blocks consistently. Backpedal is high and slow, receivers eat up his cushion too quickly. Recovery speed is not exceptional, doesn?t close on seam throws and stays behind receivers with average speed. Misses too many tackles in the open field by throwing his shoulder. Lacks a second gear or great elusiveness as a returner, and has muffed the occasional punt.

NFL Comparison

Tarell Brown

Bottom Line

Once drafted as a major league baseball prospect, Poyer is now an All-American cornerback who uses his athletic prowess to make plays on the ball in coverage (four interceptions in 2011, seven in 2012) and tacklers miss as a kick and punt returner. He's a fluid athlete who is quite agile and intelligent. He plays bigger than his size, but lacks strength and great speed.